Paxi is one of the most beautiful islands in Greece. Located in the Ionian Sea, it is a great destination for relaxing vacation under the warm Greek sun. On this Ferryhopper page, you can find useful information about the best beaches, activities and quaint villages on the island. Learn about ferry schedules to Paxi to easily plan your trip.
Amazing crystal-clear waters in Paxoi
Vacation in Paxi
Paxi (or Paxos) is one of the most impressive vacation destinations in the Ionian Sea. The picturesque fishing villages, superb beaches and cosmopolitan flair of the island create a magical setting. In Gaios, the port of Paxi and island capital, you can find many restaurants, bars, tavernas and hotels. The island welcomes many returning travelers every year and it provides plenty of visitor amenities, but it remains untouched and unexplored.
How to get to Paxi
The only way to travel to Paxi from mainland Greece is by ferry from Igoumenitsa. The port of Igoumenitsa is in the region of Epirus in northwestern Greece, around 5 hours by car from Athens and 3.5 hours from Thessaloniki. There are more than 2 daily ferry crossings from Igoumenitsa to Paxi during the summer. Occasionally, there are ferries or small boats from Corfu and Parga to Igoumenitsa during peak season too. Find more information on how to travel by ferry to Paxos below.
What to do in Paxi
During your stay in Paxi, you can enjoy amazing beaches of exceptional beauty away from the crowds. There are some popular beaches with visitor amenities, but most beaches on the island are unspoilt and remote. Apart from swimming and diving, you can also explore the island's rich history by visiting interesting historical attractions dating back to Medieval times. Hike through olive groves, taste fresh seafood at the quaint villages and don’t forget to catch the boat to Antipaxos, the sister island of Paxos, for even more majestic beaches and secluded vacation options!
Beaches in Paxi
The dreamy beaches of Paxi are covered in golden sand and white pebbles. There are both secluded beaches, as well as popular coasts with tavernas, beach bars, sun loungers and umbrellas. You can have quiet family moments by the sea, explore the beautiful seabed of the island and take thousands of photos by the emerald waters of Paxos. Find 12 of our favorite beaches in Paxi below:
- Erimitis: This is an amazing beach on the west coast of the island, created as a result of a landslide. Its emerald green waters, white sand and marvelous sunset create a magical setting.
- Orkos: It is one of the most popular beaches in Paxos. It’s close to Lakka and it is distinguished by its exotic beauty, lush vegetation, deep waters and white pebbles. You can get there via an easy forest trail.
- Kipiadi: The beach is close to Longos and it is the largest in Paxi. It has turquoise waters and white pebbles.
- Kaki Langada: This large beach is close to Gaios. It has white pebbles and crystal-clear waters.
- Monodendri: Monodendri is one of the few beaches on the island with visitor amenities. It is close to Longos and there are umbrellas, sun loungers, a beach bar and a taverna.
- Levrechio: It is one of the best beaches in Paxos, perfect for relaxation and reinvigoration. You can find a taverna close to the beach, serving delicious dishes with a majestic view.
- Marmari: Marmari is right next to Levrechio. It has crystal-clear waters and tall trees for shade.
- Mongonissi: The islet of Mongonissi, connected by road to Paxi, is home to a beautiful sandy beach with shallow waters and visitor amenities.
- Avlaki: The beach of Avlaki is unlike any other on the island. The beach looks like a small river and it’s covered in white rocks. The wild landscape, distinctive terrain and beautiful crystal-clear waters make it a great spot for snorkeling.
- Plakes: It is one of the most serene and remote beaches in Paxos. It’s covered with small pebbles and it has clear waters. Many travelers visit the beach to sunbathe on the large rocks by the coast. We recommend that you bring water shoes.
- Galazio: This is a beautiful sandy beach with blue waters on the west coast of the island. It’s an untamed beach, accessible only by boat.
- Plani: Plani (or Planos) lies on the northern part of the island and it’s great for exploration and hiking. The beach is wild and remote, covered with large rocks. You can get to the beach driving on a dirt road passing by the lighthouse of Lakka.
The stunning beach of Levrechio in Paxos
Activities and sightseeing in Paxi
Despite its small size, when in Paxi you can visit many interesting cultural sites, explore natural locations of inimitable beauty and try plenty of outdoor activities. The western part of the island is wild and unspoilt, while the south is more cosmopolitan and laid-back. Walk around the alleys of Gaios, visit castle ruins and historical museums and go chapel-spotting to admire the traditional religious architecture on the island.
Ferryhopper suggests the following activities and attractions in Paxos:
- Explore the quaint alleys in Gaios.
- Sail around the island on a boat trip.
- Visit the Venetian Fortress on the islet of Agios Nikolaos.
- Get acquainted with the local history at the Paxos Museum.
- Admire the old English Governor’s House.
- Reinvigorate your body at the natural springs of Ozia, Gianas and Glyfada.
- Follow the hiking trails from Gaios to Longos, Mpogdanatika and Tripitos.
- Discover the rich seabed of Paxos.
- Attend a classical music festival in the summer.
Boat trip to the sea caves of Paxi
Nightlife in Paxi
Paxos is all about relaxed nights and casual dining and drinking at lounge bars and restaurants. Most bars, cafés and restaurants on the island are in Gaios, the capital of Paxi, but you can also visit the villages of Lakka and Longos for an easy-going night. There are family-friendly places for wine and mezzes, as well as a few louder bars where you can have delicious cocktails. Moreover, there are many restaurants and tavernas throughout the island, where you can taste local delicacies and drink with friends until late.
Food in Paxi
Paxi perfectly combines traditional cooking with fine-dining. There are cute old tavernas cooking with simple ingredients and age-old recipes, as well as contemporary restaurants with a renewed approach to the secrets of the local cuisine. If you want to taste mouthwatering seafood dishes and fresh fish, we suggest that you visit the village of Longos. The local taverna Vasilis is one of the best on the island.
- Bourdeto: fish stew with tomato and onions
- Tsiligourdopita: pluck and liver pie
- Grilled octopus
- Spit-roasted lamb
- Fresh lobster and tuna
- Honey, wine and olive oil
Tip: Have some waffles in Gaios. They are delicious!
Villages in Paxi
Gaios is the capital and main port of Paxos. The village is located on the eastern part of the island. It’s a quaint village with cosmopolitan air and cute alleys. You can find hotels, vacation rentals, shops, restaurants and bars in the village.
Apart from Gaios, you can also visit Longos as well as Lakka. The fishing village of Lakka is one of the nicest in the Ionian Sea. Nested in lush greenery, it combines tradition with a sense of luxury. It’s quite popular with yacht owners and it’s ideal for holidays off the beaten path.
Here are some of the nicest villages in Paxoi:
- Gaios
- Lakka
- Longos
- Magazia
- Ozias
- Mpoikatika
- Vlahopouliatika
- Katsimatika
- Mpogdanatika
Tip: On the road from Gaios to Lakka, make a stop at the village of Magazia to have a glass of ouzo and some mezzes at the traditional kafeneio Bournaos.
Ferry from Paxos to Antipaxos
Visiting the island of Antipaxos is one of the top island-hopping experiences in the Ionian Sea. There are boats from Paxos to Antipaxos daily during the summer. Boats and water taxis to Antipaxos depart from the villages of Gaios, Lakka and Longos. Antipaxos is just 3 nautical miles from Paxos, which means it is also possible to reach the island by private boat or yacht.
The island of Antipaxos is a green heaven with magical beaches and turquoise waters. Voutoumi and Vrika are two of the best beaches in Antipaxos. When on the island, we recommend that you try delicious red wine, scrumptious fish and seafood dishes, as well as local cheese at one of the tavernas.
The paradisiacal beach of Voutoumi in Antipaxos
Useful information for Paxi
You can have a perfect vacation experience in Paxos. Most visitor services are in Gaios, but you can find accommodation, grocery stores, gas stations, shops and restaurants all over the island. There are also supermarkets and pharmacies in all major villages. Gaios is home to the island’s health center, where there are also ATMs, car rental shops and a bank. As for accommodation, there is a great variety of options on the island for all budgets. You can stay at luxury villas, hotels or short-term vacation rentals.
Useful phone numbers for your stay in Paxi
Here are some useful phone numbers for your trip to Paxi:
- Health Center of Paxi: +302662031466
- Municipality of Paxi: +302662032207
- Port Authority of Paxos: +302662032259
- Police Station: +302662032222
- Public bus service of Paxi (KTEL): +302662032245
- Citizen Service Center of Paxi: +302662032166
Transportation in Paxi
You can get around Paxos by private vehicle, local buses, taxis or water taxis. Ferries from Igoumenitsa to Paxos are equipped with vehicle garages so that you can bring your car or motorcycle. Alternatively, there are car rentals on the island, mainly at the port area. Local buses connect the major villages daily, but it is not possible to reach the most remote parts of the island by public transport. Normally, buses serve the following routes: Gaios - Lakka, Gaios - Longos and Longos - Lakka.
If you prefer to get around the island by taxi, you can find taxi driver numbers displayed at popular spots on the island. As for water taxis, these are small boats that take visitors to tours around the island, as well as remote beaches.
Good to know: Taxis are in great demand during peak season and you may need to wait for some time before the driver picks you up. Book in advance by phone to reduce waiting time.
Ports in Paxi
The main port of Paxos is in Gaios on the east side of the island. The port of Gaios is divided into the old and new port. Most ferries between mainland Greece and Paxos operate from the new port, which is located 10 minutes from the center of the village on foot. The old port of Gaios mainly serves routes to Antipaxos, islets in the archipelago and coastal locations around the island, which are operated by smaller boats. Most traveler amenities such as restaurants, car rentals, ATMs, grocery stores and hotels are located in the old port area, but you can find hotels, a café and parking space at the new port too.
The quaint port of Gaios in Paxi
Paxi ferry: schedules and tickets
Ferries to Paxos depart from the port of Igoumenitsa in northwestern Greece. There are frequent ferry routes from Igoumenitsa to Paxos year-round. It takes approximately 1.5 hour to reach the island by ferry and, normally, there are at least 2 daily sailings. Occasionally, there are also small boats from the island of Corfu, as well as Parga in mainland Greece to Paxi.
Good to know: Bear in mind smaller vessels cannot accommodate vehicles on board.
How to travel to Paxi by ferry
To catch the ferry to Paxos you need to travel to Igoumenitsa. The port town of Igoumenitsa is around 470km from Athens and 323km from Thessaloniki. There are public buses to Igoumenitsa from the two cities throughout the year. The closest airports to Igoumenitsa are in Aktion and Ioannina.
Boats at the beautiful coastal village of Longos
Are you looking forward to swimming in the divine beaches of Paxos? You can find all the information you need about vacation on the island on Ferryhopper. Discover useful info and tips about ferries to Paxi and the top holiday experiences on the island, and find more details about island hopping to Antipaxos, to easily plan your trip!